JPH02131656A - Telephone device and method of processing first telephone calling in telephone device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To respond to all calls to extensions by assigning an extension number group to the appearance of a line on a characteristic telephone set, and using a characteristic telephone set emulator interface. CONSTITUTION: In a PBX, an extension number group 241 is connected with a telephone set emulator interface 251, and it is programmed for being assigned to a line display. The extension number 241 is made correspond to a voice port line 240 connected with a voice port 252 of a voice messaging device 250. The voice messaging device checks call ringing in the extension 241 by using the telephone set emulator interface 251. The characteristic telephone set emulator interface 251 can receive call information by responding to the call, and also receive the call information without necessitating to respond to the call by using the special characteristics.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of voice messaging systems for private branch exchange (pBx) 11-talk systems.

[Conventional technology]

A private branch exchange (PBX) can be defined as a telephone switching device used for an organization.

A PBX can be coupled to multiple incoming trunk lines, outgoing trunk lines, and multiple telephone stations within an organization's premises.

PBX equipment performs various functions such as switching calls from an incoming trunk line to one of the extensions, switching calls between two extensions, and switching calls between an extension and an outgoing trunk line. I do. Many PBXs are well known and commercially available.

Telephones in the premises of the organization are ordinary single-line telephones (25
00 set) or other more advanced telephones. For example, a PBX may have the ability to connect electronic telephones to multiple lines, display capabilities, and other advanced features. These telephones are often called feature phones. Some PBX equipment allows the extension numbers assigned to individual telephones to also be assigned multiple line appearances on remote pickups of such feature telephones.

When an incoming call is directed by the PBX to one of those extensions, the incoming call can be answered by a feature telephone or a single line telephone. PBXs often provide information about the call to a featured telephone display. This information may include information about the source of the call (trunk number, trunk group number, caller identification, or PBX extension). In addition, for unanswered calls sent from a nine extension to a featured telephone, the extension number to which the call was sent and the reason the call was sent (no calls after a predetermined number of rings during which the extension was busy) Additional information such as response, manually sent to extension, etc.) is often provided.

Some known PBX devices allow a single line to access a call to one of the extension numbers assigned to a featured telephone. Allows you to utilize the remote pickup feature to

As an additional feature, some PBX devices provide facilities that allow a featured telephone to receive call information without requiring the featured telephone to answer the call.

Several voice messaging systems are known and commercially available. Those voice messaging devices can be coupled to a PBX. The voice messaging system 1 is used to automate the answering of incoming calls from an external telephone network and the taking of messages when the extension is not answered by the called subscriber K. These voice messaging devices include features such as recording voice messages for users in a book known as the user's "mailbox." These voice messaging devices can be accessed by users calling from the PBX extension through the incoming trunk from the telephone network.

In most known voice messaging devices,
Answering incoming trunk calls by a voice messaging device is accomplished, among other things, by instructing the PBX to direct incoming calls to extensions. The voice port of the voice messaging facility is coupled to this extension group and only appears to the PBX as a single line telephone. Typically, a voice messaging device answers a call directed to it and provides a pre-recorded voice message asking the caller to enter the extension number to which the caller wishes to connect. do.

Depending on the specific voice messaging device, PBx reception (
There may be other choices given to the caller at this time, such as options sent to the caller (attendant).

In most known devices, voice messaging devices have no information about the source of the call. This information allows the voice messaging device to adjust the handling of the call. For example, it may be desirable for the voice messaging device to select pre-selected voice messages based on the source of the incoming call. Additionally, it is desirable to tailor voice messaging preferences based on the origin of the incoming call to provide nine caller options. In order for a voice messaging device to provide such features,
including, for example, trunk number, trunk detail number, or other caller identification information that may be provided by the network;
Information about the source of the incoming call needs to be provided to the voice messaging device.

One known method of providing such power features is to segment the voice ports of a voice messaging device and configure the KPBX to direct incoming calls from a trunk or group of trunks to a particular voice port group. . The voice messaging device can then be adjusted to handle calls differently on different voice port groups. The disadvantage of that method is that it requires more voice ports than would be required if the voice ports were not divided into groups K. Ports can be used more efficiently if they can be grouped together and shared for handling incoming calls from all trunks.

Accordingly, the PBx allows the voice messaging device to receive information about the origin of the call that is sent to the voice port of the voice messaging device, and to process the call based on that information and cost and compatibility. It would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that allows voice messaging devices to be adjusted.

In addition to handling calls that are received by the PBX from an incoming telephone trunk, an important function of known voice messaging devices is to handle calls that are not successful in reaching the originally intended extension (if that extension is busy). If the extension did not answer or the extension did not receive a call, the extension was intentionally placed in the call handling mode. That function can be performed in known voice messaging devices by instructing the PBX to send all those unanswered calls to extensions connected to voice port K of the voice messaging device. can. The voice messaging device then answers the outstanding calls and processes those calls. Depending on the specific voice messaging device, the caller may
You may be allowed to leave an Ondo message, call another extension, or perform some other action.

In processing such outstanding calls by the voice messaging device, it is useful to know the number of the extension from which the caller originally called. The information initially allows the voice messaging device to supply pre-recorded information relating to the called extension and the options the voice messaging device provides to the calling subscriber for further handling of the information. allow the voice messaging device to select. The known voice messaging device connects to rABc's message ● center. This function is often accomplished by providing a pre-played voice message informing the caller of a message such as "Please repeat the extension you were trying to call." In such devices, when a caller uses a touchtone and dials 9, the caller can enter the extension number that they are trying to call, and the voice messaging device handles the call based on that extension number. can be adjusted.

This method has several problems. First, in many cases, the caller has already dialed the extension once when the call was first placed. Requiring the caller to re-enter the extension number is inconvenient. Second, the caller may place the call from a rotary dial telephone. In known voice messaging devices, the voice messaging device cannot receive commands dialed from a rotary dial telephone. Third, in some cases, the caller does not know the extension of the person he is trying to call. A typical delay is when a call is accepted by the PBX.
This is the case when there is no answer initially and the caller is asked to connect to a specific individual by name.

A second known method and apparatus is manufactured by Octel Communications Co., Ltd., Mlpitas, Calif., USA.
CTEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPO
RATION) is used in several models of voice messaging products. As far as Applicant currently understands, the Octel device utilizes the telephone capabilities of many known PBX devices. The voice messaging device is configured to be coupled to the PBX via multiple featured telephone ports. A PBX is configured to direct calls. The calls can be dialed directly or sent to one of a number of featured telephones coupled to the voice messaging device. The voice messaging device can then receive information about the call via one of the featured telephone interfaces and can process the call accordingly.

Use of multiple featured telephone ports to connect the known PB via the K1 featured telephone interface without the need for Iζ
It would be desirable to develop a device that utilizes the information available from the X device.

In a third known method and device, when a call is sent, call history information for the sent call is output as multiple pulses by using Impand Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signaling. PBXs can be programmed. Such features are only available for a limited number of known PBXs.

Accordingly, a method and apparatus is provided that allows a voice messaging device to receive information from a PBX about the called and calling numbers at the time a call was sent to the PBX, and information about the reason the call was sent. It is desirable to obtain.

information about the called number and the calling number K and the reason why the call was sent to the voice messaging device;
After the voice messaging device receives the call in one of the above methods or other methods, voice messaging processes the call.

Known voice messaging devices are based on time and day of the week.
It does not distinguish between those messages. Additionally, typical voice messaging devices provide an opportunity for dialing an extension to send a message to the desired subscriber, either in a mailbox or to another extension, to handle the call. supply to the caller. In the known system, the caller is automatically allowed to leave the message in the called person's mailbox, but if the caller wishes to have the message sent to another extension, the The person must provide an extension number and/or provide certain other instructions.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

It is an object of the present invention to develop a system that is more responsive to the needs of callers by allowing call processing to be tailored based on time of day, day of the week, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to automatically route the caller to a designated second extension if the call is answered by the desired extension and the caller does not enter a code to access the mailbox in a crisis. To obtain a device that allows configuring extensions for direct transfer.

Conventional voice messaging devices further provide several conveniences to mailbox users. Such telephone equipment is
Recording in the desired mailbox requires the user to go through several steps before allowing the caller to access the mailbox facility. One known messaging device (Roltl Corporation, Santa Clara, California, USA)
g) Facilitates recording during processing by not requiring mailbox users to include their extension in some cases. However, if a security code is placed on the mailbox, the user must enter security information in order to access either mailbox facility.

Mailbox user K may wish to access a facility with a mailbox while minimizing the number of required steps. This special access can only be granted to those with the device and one
It is desirable to allow this only during certain hours of the day and on certain days of the week.

[Means to solve the problem]

An improved interface and modified method of operation of a voice messaging device interface for use in a private branch exchange (PBX) is disclosed herein. The voice messaging device of the present invention can compete with any of several known PBX compatible feature telephones with multi-line capabilities.
Features a telephone emulator interface.

This featured telephone emulator interface
To BX, it looks like an actual feature phone.

In the present invention, K. The PBX is configured. The extension number corresponds to a single line telephone extension K that is coupled to the voice port of the voice messaging device. The voice messaging device may be configured using a featured telephone emulator interface.
Answer all calls to those extensions.

Alternatively, the featured telephone can have a unique extension number, and the voice port of the voice messaging device can answer calls directed to the featured telephone emulator by using the remote pickup feature of the local PBX.

Some PBX equipment allows a featured telephone to receive call information by using special features without answering the call.

pBx is intended to activate the telephone display;
A command is provided to the interface that provides information about the source of the call and, in the case of a directed call, the reason why the call was directed to the featured telephone.

The interface receives the commands and information and provides information to the voice messaging device's control software.

The voice messaging device then goes off-hook and accepts the call on the appropriate voice port for further processing of the call. Depending on the particular PBX, it may be necessary for the featured telephone emulator interface to answer the call and place the call on hold before the voice port goes off-hook. In either case, further processing of the call can be done by the voice port, and the telephone emulator interface is not required to take any action until a new call arrives. .

The availability of call source and original call destination information enhances the functionality of the voice messaging device of the present invention. For example, calls from particular sources can be assigned a special type of service that can determine how those calls are handled. Specific types of services can also be assigned to special call destinations that determine how calls to those destinations are handled. Depending on the type of service of the incoming call, the voice messaging device K can be commanded to provide a particular prerecorded greeting for the incoming call. The type of service may be determined by the trunk number or trunk group number or other source information available to the interface.

Calls placed from a particular extension or coming from a particular calling source can be programmed to receive special treatment. For example, "Mr. John Doe is not responding. Personal assistance."
After providing a voice message such as ``Please hold for a stance'', the voice messaging device can be instructed to transfer the call to a specified extension.

Features Telephone Emulation ● Once the first called number is provided to the voice messaging device through the interface, the voice messaging device can decide to use the name "Mr. John Doe" and will be able to use the name "Mr. John Doe" for the call to be forwarded. You can preprogram it with a specific extension. For example, calls can be transferred to a personal assistant or message center. In a preferred embodiment, the voice messaging device may attempt to forward the call to this number;
To ensure that the transfer is successful, the K line is placed on the K line. If the personal assistance extension is busy or unanswered, the voice messaging device can provide a voice message such as "Personal Assistance is not available! Please hold for the operator" and place the call on hold. Can be transferred to PBX reception.

Telephone devices including voice messaging devices are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as K1-specific tips and menus, specific codes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known circuits, well-known structures, and well-known techniques have not been described in detail, making the present invention unnecessary and vague.

The present invention provides that a voice messaging device can receive information from a telephone switching device and utilize that information to provide advanced call processing techniques and voice messaging features.
An improved interface to a voice messaging system (VMS) and an improved method of operating the VMS are disclosed.

Although the following description will be made with particular reference to PBX equipment, the present invention contemplates the use of the voice messaging equipment disclosed herein in other telephone switching equipment, such as key equipment, centrex equipment, or hybrid equipment. It is expected that this will happen. Additionally, the call processing methods described herein can equally be implemented in a telephone device that utilizes an external voice messaging device or that provides the features of a voice messaging device as an integral function of the switching device. The call processing methods described herein can be implemented in a variety of telephone devices. In this case, the desired call information may be obtained by the method and apparatus detailed herein or by another method and apparatus K.

The call processing method is not intended to be limited to the use of the disclosed method and apparatus for obtaining call information, except as specifically provided in the claims.

Known voice messaging methods allow callers to dial an extension, access an online directory, leave a voice message, and dial a new extension without going through a human receptionist. However, when such devices receive a call, they lack information such as the nature of the call, the reason the call was sent to the voice messaging device, etc., or they cannot process the call. Must be specifically configured for a particular PBX and must connect to the PBX through a special PBX voice messaging device port provided by the PBX vendor as one of the unique features of the PBX/voice messaging device. Therefore, these known devices cannot process calls as provided by the present invention. This type of feature is often expensive and often risks providing all the call information that might be useful to the voice messaging device.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, refer to FIG. In the conventional technology, PBX1
10 with a featured telephone interface 121. In that system, external callers can place calls from any telephone 1 (N) to PBX 110. Those calls are routed via central office 103 and trunk lines 105, 10S. .The trunk lines couple the central office 103 and the trunk interface equipment 108 of the PBX 11G.For example, the trunk lines 105 may be for incoming calls from WATS lines, i.e. May be for a similar number used by customers to place orders for the company's products.Trunk line 1
06 may be for incoming calls in a general office used for administration and other functions.

In the telephone equipment, calls can be transferred by the console operator to a particular extension, such as extensions 234 and 121. Calls transferred to extension 234 are not answered or
If extension 234 is busy, the call is routed to extensions 801-80.
K PB to send to 4 and 140 message centers
X can be constructed. A message center receptionist can answer calls placed at feature telephone 130. Its special feature is that the telephone 130 has a line display 801 on the line button 132.
~804.

The feature telephone Inter7Ace 112 provides information to the feature telephone 130. The information is displayed on the display 131.
and is displayed by lighting up the line button 132. For example, the display may state that the call was transferred to extension 802 because extension 234 was busy when button 802 was pressed. Therefore, the call can be answered and the person answering the call knows that extension 234 was not answered because the phone was busy, and therefore the person answering the call is less helpful and endangered to the caller as a result. Sometimes.

Refer now to FIG. Telephone 201 is the same type of telephone as telephone 101 in FIG.
3 is the same type of telephone office as the central telephone office 103 in FIG. 1, and trunk groups 205 and 208 are trunk groups 1 in FIG.
A group of trunks similar to 05,106, PBX
210 is a type of P similar to PBX 1 1 0 in Figure 1.
BX, trunk φ interface device 208
is a trunk O interface device similar to trunk interface device 108 of FIG.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a voice messaging device 2 that emulates a PBX-compatible feature telephone with multiline capability.
50. To PBX 210, voice messaging device 25Q appears as an actual feature telephone and a set of single-line telephones. Telephone engineer interface 251 til'l color telephone 130 (Figure 1)
configured to emulate.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the special telephone emulator interface 251 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained in detail. A data link 501 is provided to couple the emulator interface 251 to the PBX's featured telephone interface 212.

In one embodiment of the invention, data link 501 is R
J-111! ! Including Jack. However, many other data links are available, and specific data links may be commanded privately (by the PBX manufacturer).

Data link 501 is typically coupled with conventional protection circuitry 502 to a circuit that insulates the circuitry within the telephone device from electrical fluctuations. A signal from data link 501 is electrically coupled to received signal detection circuit 504 . The signal detection circuit converts the analog data link signal into a 2-4 wire converter 503.
Convert to digital signal via . The signal output from the voice messaging scissor station is converted from digital to analog format by the transmit signal generator SOS. Transmission signal generator 505 includes 2-4 wire converter 503 and protection circuit 50
2 to the data link 501.

The protection circuit 502, the 2-4@ converter 503, the received signal detector 504, and the transmitted signal detector 505 have circuits similar to circuit K found in actual feature telephones. Specific circuit details and specifications may vary between PBX manufacturers.

A microcomputer 506 is coupled to a received signal detector 504 for receiving digital signals from the PBX.

The digital signal includes displays and other information for the featured telephone that may be utilized (by the voice messaging device of the present invention). Microcomputer 506 is further coupled to transmit signal generator 50.5 for providing signals from the voice messaging device to the PBX. Finally, to provide a communication link for the remaining circuitry of the voice messaging device, microcomputer 506 connects the voice messaging device's bus 5G? is combined with

Referring again to FIG. 2, such a telephone emulator interface 251 is used to provide information to the voice messaging device R250 about the origin of the call and when the call is transferred to the voice messaging device R250. The reason fl250 is accepting the call is provided.

The PBX sends the extension number group 241 to the telephone emulator●
is programmed for assignment to a line indicator coupled to interface 251. These extensions 241 correspond to voice port lines 240 that are coupled to voice port 252 of voice messaging device 25G. The voice messaging device uses a telephone emulator interface 251 to
View the call ringing on extension 241. PBX210
provides commands to the interface to activate a telephone display, such as telephone display 131 shown in FIG. 1, and provides information about the calling source and information to route the call. Telephone emulator interface 251 receives these commands and provides this information to the voice messaging device's control software.

As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, a particular P
Telephone emulator interface 251 is configured to work with the PBX. The reason this is necessary is that commands and information from the PBX are not provided in a standard way between different manufacturers or between different production lines. For example, depending on the particular PBX, a featured telephone emulator interface 251 can receive call information by answering a call, or by using special features to answer a call. Unnecessary K call information can be received. Northern Telecom
In Telecom's 81,/I PBX, a feature telephone can receive call information when the operator presses a "display" button. 21 TEE (
At one PBX (AT&T), a featured telephone can receive call information when the operator presses a "check" button. In both cases, pressing the special button allows the featured telephone to receive call information without answering the call.

In any event, after the voice messaging device 250 receives the call information, the voice messaging device 250 goes off-hook at the appropriate voice port 252 and processes the K call as described in more detail below.

Depending on the particular installation, voice port 252 may go off-hook and place the call on hold before processing the call.
There is something necessary for Ace 251. Another embodiment allows one port 2520 to be added to the call. After voice port 252 is added, the voice messaging device can be stopped on port 251. In either case,
Further processing of the call can be done by the port, and the telephone emulator interface 251 allows the port to finish processing the call, drop the call from the extension, and wait for that line until a new call reaches the extension. Appearance (appeJlr
anc●) No operation is performed on K. While the port is processing the call, the telephone emulator interface 251 can answer calls that arrive at other extensions, and the calls are similarly processed.

Voice messaging device 250 connects to an appropriate voice port}25
2. Instead of going off-hook and handling the call, some equipment has some PBX's Remote Pickup Features 1+ (
Conferencing features can be used.

Utilizing the remote backup feature, the voice messaging device 50 can be
Call information can be transferred to the telephone emulator interface without answering the call using means such as the "display" feature of Telecom's 8L/1 or the "inspect" feature of some AT&T devices. face 25
First receive it via 1. The voice messaging device then instructs the appropriate voice port 240 to accept the call using the normal remote start-up features of many known PBXs.

When using the conferencing method, voice messaging device 250 first answers the call and receives call information via telephone operator interface 251. Then the appropriate audio port 240
is a typical summary of many known PBX devices (co
nferenc tng ) feature can be used to combine into a call, and then the feature telephone zizv-fi●Inter7Ace 251 can be disconnected from the call.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 of K1.

A manufacturer's PBX may be configured with a $30 feature telephone with a data link 631 that provides call information. In that system, a data link 631 may be coupled to a voice messaging device 650 for providing call information such as the call information provided via the telephone emulator interface 251 of FIG. Feature telephone 630 may be coupled to PBXIIIO via feature telephone interface 612 using conventional means.

Voice port 652 is coupled to PBX 610 via station interface device 613. In this embodiment, voice port 652 features telephone extension 63.
There is no need to share it with 0. voice messaging device 6
50 receives call information via data link 631, its voice messaging device can instruct PBX 610 to direct the call to one of multiple voice ports 6520. This can be accomplished using any of the many known PBX snow removal remote pickup devices described above.

In particular, a remote pickup code can be sent via voice port 652 for reception at a PBX, and the PBX, in response to sending the code,
Direct the call to the voice port that sent that code. Alternatively, various call forwarding features may be utilized at the PBX to forward the call to one of the voice ports 652, and those call forwarding features may be used to call the voice messaging device K via the featured telephone port 631. .

Internal Calls Figures 3A-3F are examples of calls that occur within the local PBX (e.g., a telephone attached to the same PBX that is calling a telephone extension attached to the local PBXK). 1 shows the characteristics of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Assuming that the voice messaging device accepts a call coming from another extension, branch 301, the voice messaging device will say, ``Joe Jones is unavailable. For personal assistance, dial K-tone Ot or Dial 0.'' Please leave a message," block 302.

In a preferred embodiment, the user can specifically configure the introductory message with a personal greeting. for example,
The user replied, ``Hello, this is Jifuichi●jifuichizu.'' in place of ``Joe●jimeichijizu can't appear.'' 1
I'm on vacation until February 15th, so you won't be able to open any messages until then."

The caller then waits for a beep indicating that a voice message can be recorded. The caller can leave a message at the beep (block 303).

Feature 1') of the preferred embodiment is that ☆ is included in the advisory message.
(IL mark) Allow the caller to press the key.

When the caller presses the ☆ key, the voice messaging device skips the rest of the advisory message and goes directly to the beep. After that beep, the caller can leave a message. The preferred embodiment allows the caller to press a key to enter commands to the K1 voice messaging device during any advice, thus increasing call processing speed.

Alternatively, the caller can press the O (Z0) key. As shown in Figure 3B, the voice messaging device transfers the call to a personal assistance number. In a preferred embodiment,
Each person who has an extension in the PBX has a mailbox associated with that extension. The mailbox can be configured with several options.

One feature of the present invention allows for configuring a mailbox with a personal assistance extension. For example, the president of a company may use his personal secretary's extension as his personal assistance extension. Because information indicating the origin of the call, such as that the call was originally placed to the company president's phone, is provided to the voice messaging device, the voice messaging device can place the personal assistance extension for the desired home. You can get it from the appropriate mailbox,
Handle the call as follows:

The loop current of the PBX at the voice port of the voice messaging device is temporarily K31! When the call is disconnected, the call begins to be forwarded to the personal assistance extension. This is often referred to as a hookswitch flash. This is because it is handled in much the same way as a manual transfer of a call initiated by a person momentarily pressing the hook switch on a telephone. The voice messaging device pulses out the personal assistance extension number, preceded by any required PBX transfer code.

To ensure that your call is answered by personal assistance,
A voice messaging device monitors the line. If the call is not answered after a predetermined number of rings, or if the personal assistance extension is busy (branch 321), the voice messaging device performs another hookswitch flash to reconnect the caller. outputs any reconnection codes required to do so and announces "Personal assistance not available. Please leave Jo Jones' ninth message" (block 322). The voice messaging device provides a beep and allows the caller to leave a mailbox K voice message for the called person (block 323).
).

When the voice messaging device detects that personal assistance is available, ie, the call is answered, the voice messaging device announces a call to the personal assistance desk (block 324).

For example, a voice messaging device may announce to a receptionist, "Connecting the call you placed. Joe Jones is unavailable." Since the voice messaging device has been provided with information such as whether Joe Jones' extension is busy, unanswered, or placed in a do not accept mode, the voice messaging device passes that information to the reception desk. Can be supplied. The receptionist can then handle K calls more intelligently and efficiently.

The voice messaging device connects the call after the announcement. One feature of the preferred embodiment allows the voice messaging device to monitor the personal assistance extension and provide announcements to the personal reception desk while preventing callers from hearing the ring tone and announcements. The caller is connected to a personal assistance reception desk by voice messaging device K, which stops after an announcement is made to reception K.

A personal assistance characteristic is a certain amount of time (e.g., normal office hours)
It can be configured to be available only during the day and not available at other times (for example, at night, on weekends, or on holidays). Additionally, as a configured option within the mailbox user's mailbox,
The user can turn the personal assistance feature on or off at any time. The personal assistance receptionist may also configure a mailbox to indicate that an extension is available and available to receive forwarded calls.

Referring again to the third-person diagram, assuming the internal call is not a forwarded call (branch 307), the voice messaging device assumes that the caller is attempting to log into its mailbox. The preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for accessing mailboxes to change greetings, leave messages, and several other features that make network calls easier than traditional devices.

As previously mentioned, the information provided by the featured telephone interface allows the voice messaging device to more efficiently process the user's calls that are registered in the user's mailbox. for example,
Because the voice messaging device is provided with the extension number being called, the user may not need to enter his mailbox extension number to access his mailbox extension. This same information allows the voice messaging device to allow User K to perform certain common functions without having to complete the mailbox recording process. For example, changing an individual's greeting is a common function. In a preferred embodiment, as will be explained in more detail below, the Aether can change the user's personal greeting without terminating the mailbox recording operation.

When a voice messaging device receives a call from a user who wants to log into his or her mailbox, the voice messaging device displays the message ``Press 0 to enter your mailbox.Press 0 to change your greeting.'' ``Press K☆ to leave a message. Dial network extension to place a network call'' (block 308). If Aesar had gotten used to this meeyuk,
At any time during Metsu Ryuichiji, the user can enter the number code, zero,
You can press the button on the seal or dial the network number.

When the voice messaging device presses the reference button to indicate that it wishes to be placed in its mailbox, the voice messaging device operates as shown in Figure 3C. First, the voice messaging device determines whether the called extension has a mailbox. If it has (branch 33
1). The voice messaging device responds to the menu based on the mailbox configuration for the extension being called and the PBX/voice messaging device configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the menu always begins with a message such as "To enter your mailbox - press sign button" (block 332).

Certain service codes associated with mailboxes determine whether a person's greeting can be changed without record.

If the book is changeable, advice such as ``Press zero to change the greeting'' will be given as part of the menu.

Referring now to Figure 3D, if the user presses zero (branch 310), the user is advised to change the personal greeting associated with the postal code (block 351). The user can then record a new greeting, listen to the current greeting, and turn on/or off the greeting (block 352). This and other features of the invention can be enabled or disabled based on time of day, day of the week, holidays, etc. In particular, by disabling this feature outside of office hours, unauthorized changes to personal greetings can be prevented.

One configuration of the preferred central embodiment allows a user of a voice messaging device to send messages to other users' mailboxes and to have messages labeled with the caller's mailbox address. This characteristic K]
The recipient is allowed to respond to the message without looking up the caller's mailbox address or immediately place a call to the sender of the message without knowing the caller's extension. Additionally, by appending the caller's mailbox address to the message K, the caller can request notification of who is listening to the message.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a device configured with such in-message features can provide advice such as "Press the signature button to quickly leave a message." When the user presses the signature button, If you press (branch 311),
Next, referring to FIG. 3E, the user is advised to send a message to a certain mailbox address K (block 362). The user is then allowed to chime the voice message (block 361).

Messages are sent to designated mailboxes and are marked with the sender's mailbox address, allowing the use of features within the message without having to be registered in the user's mailbox.

The preferred embodiment allows multiple voice messaging devices and their associated PBXs to be networked together. For example, in a company with multiple factory sites located at geographically separate locations, each factory site may have its own PBX and voice messaging equipment. It would be desirable to allow a caller at one of those factories to call an extension at another location, have voice messaging device K select the optimal line route, and place the call.

The caller can call a personal extension or mailbox extension at another factory. In accordance with another feature of the invention, when multiple voice messaging devices are grouped into a network, a portion of the menu may be displayed with a message such as "To place a network call, please dial the network number." As a voice messaging device can advise. The user can then enter the network number (branch 312).

Please refer to Figure 3F below. The voice messaging device selects the optimal network route to make the network call (block 3T1). The voice messaging device then calls the network-embedded PBX along its optimal route (block 3T2) and, in response to the advice K, supplies the extension number to the network-embedded voice messaging device (block 3T2).
block 373). The voice messaging device then connects the caller (block 3T4).

The voice messaging device is a P
To transfer the caller to the BX, a method similar to that described above is utilized, with transfer to a personal assistance extension. That is, by performing a hook switch activation flash and outpulsing the telephone number of the PBX incorporated in the network to the PBX, the voice messaging device begins transferring the call. The call is answered by a PBX integrated into the network, advised by a voice messaging device embedded in the network requesting an extension, and after a while, the voice messaging device provides the desired extension. and stops connecting the caller to the desired telephone number within the network.

Referring again to FIG. 3C, if the caller presses the red code button in response to the menu advice (branch 333), the voice messaging device waits a predetermined amount of time. During that time the user can enter a second - sign. The second reference sign indicates that the user wishes to record the mailbox identified by the calling extension. Alternatively, suppose the user does not enter a second expense code (
At branch 334), the voice messaging device advises with a message such as "Please enter your postal address" (block 335). This feature may, for example, allow a secretary to receive a manager's messages from the secretary's phone, or allow a mailbox user to receive messages from an extension other than the mailbox user's extension.

If the extension being called has a mailbox (branch 337), the voice messaging device advises with a message such as "Enter your mailbox number" (block!38), and then the fifth-user returns his or her mailbox. (block 339).

In any event, voice messaging devices are provided that allow the user to record the postal box number that they wish to record. The voice messaging device then advises with a message such as "Enter Security Code" (block 340), if a security code has been specified for that mailbox K. Users can enter a security code, which will be recorded in their mailbox.

Once registered in your mailbox, you can perform some normal functions like listening to messages, sending messages, changing personal greetings, changing security codes, etc. . Additionally, as another feature of the present invention, once a mailbox has been recorded, the user can specify the personal assistance extension associated with that mailbox.

With the above options), the device is made responsive to the user's specific needs by allowing the user to quickly perform certain functions before and while recording to the user's mailbox.

External Call Voice messaging devices can handle externally originated calls as well as internally originated calls.

The present invention allows for the selection of a unique initial greeting based on the incoming trunk number or group of trunks, and provides a flexible menu to support a variety of incoming calls that have not yet been routed to a particular extension. can. For example, referring back to FIG. 2, the trunk group 205 includes an input W input TS for receiving calls from customers for various types of customer support.
It can be a group of lines. The voice messaging device responds to all calls coming on trunk group 205 with "ABC".
It's a company. Dial 1 to place a sales order. Dial 2 for information about ABC products. Dial 3 to obtain information about the expected shipping date for your current order. Or, please wait in order to receive further support.'' A voice messaging device can provide this message.

This is because the voice messaging device is informed via the feature telephone interface 212 and telephone emulator interface 251 that the call is an incoming call on trunk group 205. The Nazi can then enter 1.21 or 3 and receive the desired assistance, or remain on the line to turn to a given extension in the ninth of the transaction.

Selection of a particular message or company menu for an incoming call can be made according to trunk number or group of trunks, and can be tailored according to time of day and day of the week.

A ninth class 311 method of handling unanswered external calls is utilized. The preferred method is determined by the origination of the call and the extension called. Information about call origination and called calls is provided to the voice messaging device via the featured telephone interface. This information allows the voice messaging device to determine the particular method of handling unanswered calls.

The first selection is used in the preferred embodiment for calls that are initially directed to a voice messaging device (ie, calls that are not routed directly to individual extensions by the PBX). This selection is shown in detail in Figure 4A. When a call is first directed to a voice messaging device by the PBX (block 4(ii), the caller is advised by the voice messaging device to enter an extension number (block 40).
2).

The voice messaging device can further advise the caller to enter a zero to be connected by the operator, and if the caller does nothing, the caller will be automatically connected to the operator. can give advice to others. If the caller enters a private number, the voice messaging device "blind transfers" the caller to the desired extension (the caller hears the PBX ringback tone) (block 403). If the call is not answered by the extension (branch 404), processing proceeds as shown in FIG. 4D.

The PBX transmission technology sends the call to the voice messaging device when the call is in a busy state (block 431). The caller can then say something like, ``Job Jones is unavailable. If you hear a tone, leave a private message, dial another extension, or dial zero for personal assistance.''
(block 432). Assuming personal assistance was not specified for the desired extension, the advice would be "Dial zero (0) for personal assistance" instead of "Dial zero (0) for personal assistance." Please.” In this case, the call is terminated in response to the caller entering a zero.
You will be transferred to the PBX reception instead of your personal support person.

If the person assigned to the desired extension records a personal greeting and dials 9, it says, ``George is unable to answer.''
The greeting will be announced instead.

If Personal Assistance is not available (i.e., the Personal Assistance extension is unanswered or busy), the caller may be advised of the additional option of pressing the zero key to connect to the operator. The process is similar to that shown in Figure 3B.

This additional option is provided as a service to external callers in the preferred embodiment. If the call is transferred to an operator, the call is forwarded and announced by the voice messaging device as described above.

Figure 4B shows the direct i/word ● dial (direct
Inward dial (D.I.D.) indicates a second option for handling external calls, which is used when the call is first routed to the PBX to the desired extension, rather than in the case of a D.I.D. call. (Block 411
). Assuming the call is answered by the desired extension (branch 413), no action is required by the voice messaging device. If the call is not answered by the desired extension or if that extension is busy (branch 412), the call is processed as shown in FIG. 4D. I explained about that earlier.

A third voice messaging option is provided by the preferred embodiment to handle calls that require special handling. One example is when a call is initially sent to the president of a company and the president wishes that all calls be answered by a live person rather than a prerecorded message as the default option. It's a call.

Calls from extensions designated for this special treatment are
If the extension is busy or unanswered after a predetermined ring, and is sent to the voice messaging device (block 42G), Joe Jones will not be able to answer. A voice messaging device provides a message such as ``Please wait for personal assistance or press the star key to leave a message'' (block 421). If the caller does not press the star key within a predetermined period of time (branch 422), the voice messaging device attempts to forward the call to the personal assistance number designated for the mailbox (block 423).
).

If the personal assistance number answers (branch 424), the voice messaging device announces and connects the call (block 425) in the same manner as previously described.

Suppose your personal assistance extension is unanswered or busy (
Branch 42B), the voice messaging device says ``Personal assistance is not available. Line K for operator! Press the sign key to exit or leave a message.''
Advice such as this is given (block 427). If the caller does not press the signature key (branch 428), the voice messaging device connects the caller to an operator. Otherwise, the caller enters the star key in accordance with this advice (branch 42).
9) or further advice K. Therefore, if you press (branch 430), the voice messaging device will respond with a message such as "If you hear the sound, please leave a private message for Joe Jones. Recorded" and then The voice messaging device generates a beep (block 440).
, after which the caller can leave a message (block 441). If Joey's has created a personal greeting, the personal greeting will be announced in response to "Please leave a personal message for Joe Jones when you hear the sound."

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating conventional telephone equipment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating telephone equipment available in a preferred embodiment; and FIGS. 3A-3F are block diagrams illustrating telephone equipment available in a preferred embodiment. FIGS. 4A-4D are a flowchart illustrating a method for handling external calls that may be utilized in a preferred embodiment; FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a featured telephone emulation circuit that may be utilized with the present invention; FIG. The figure is a block diagram illustrating the use of a featured telephone that includes a ninth interface jack for coupling to a voice messaging device that may be utilized with the present invention. 108.208●-e fist Trunk●Inter 7 Eighth device, 112,212.612●...Special telephone interface, 113,114,213,214.61
3 ●●●● Station interface equipment R, 250,650
...a# voice messaging device, 251.. ．． ．． telephone emulator, interface, 252,652
Φ●-●Audio part port, 502φ●・-protection circuit,
503--●●2-4 wire converter, 504・Fist/self-receiving signal detector, 505●... Transmission signal generator, 506●Phi fist microcomputer.

Claims (14)

[Claims] (1) telephone switching means comprising a first port associated with a plurality of extensions and supplying call information to the featured telephone; and a plurality of second ports each associated with one of the plurality of extensions; a voice messaging device coupled to the first port and the plurality of second ports, receiving the call information on the first port and processing the call on one of the plurality of second ports; A telephone device comprising: (2) telephone switching means comprising a first port for supplying call information to a featured telephone; a plurality of second ports; and a voice messaging device, wherein each said second port supports a plurality of extensions. combined into one, the feature telephone comprising a third port for providing the call information, and the voice messaging device coupled to the third port and the plurality of second ports; A telephone device, wherein the telephone device receives the call information above and processes the call at one of the plurality of second ports. (3) telephone switching means having a first port associated with a plurality of extensions and supplying call information to the featured telephone; and a plurality of second ports each associated with one of the plurality of extensions; 1 port and a voice messaging device coupled to the plurality of second ports, comprising: (a) the voice messaging device on the first port; (b) the switching means providing call information to the voice messaging device via the first port; (c) the voice messaging device A method of processing a first telephone call on a telephone device, comprising: terminating processing of the first telephone call at one of a plurality of second ports. (4) telephone switching means comprising a first port and a plurality of second ports for providing call information to the featured telephone; and a voice messaging device, each said second port being connected to one of the plurality of extensions. , the feature telephone includes a third port for providing the call information, and the voice messaging device processes telephone calls at a telephone device coupled to the third port and the plurality of second ports. (a) the voice messaging device receives an indication of the telephone call on the third port; and (b) the switching means transmits call information on the first port to the featured telephone. (c) the feature telephone providing the call information on the third port to the voice messaging device; and (d) the voice messaging device providing the call information on the third port to one of the second ports. processing a first telephone call in a telephone device, comprising: providing a code and said switching means responding to said code to send said call to said one of said second ports; how to. (5) a plurality of central offices and switching means, the switching means having a first plurality of ports for coupling to the plurality of central offices and a voice messaging device coupled to the switching means; In a method for processing a telephone call in a telephone device comprising: (a) the switching means is connected to a first of the plurality of telephone stations;
(b) determining that the call is not answered by the first central office; and (c) directing the call to the first central office in response to the call being unanswered. (d) said switching means providing said call information to said voice messaging device; and (e) said voice messaging device connects said voice messaging device to a second telephone of said plurality of central offices. A method for processing a telephone call in a telephone device, comprising: selecting a telephone station and transmitting the call to the second telephone station selected based on the call information. (6) a plurality of extensions and a messaging means, wherein the messaging means is associated with a plurality of mailboxes associated with the plurality of extensions, each mailbox having an access code; station 1
(b) providing first identification information identifying a first mailbox to the messaging means; and (c) accessing the messaging means from the first mailbox.
(d) the messaging means granting access to a first predetermined set of features in response to the first identification information and the access code; and (a') accessing said messaging means from one of said telephone extensions; and (b') providing said second identification information identifying a second mailbox. and (c') the messaging means, in response to the second identification information and the access code, granting access to a second predetermined set of capabilities. A telephone device characterized by: (7) At least one call generating means, at least one call receiving means, and a switching means for switching a call from the call generating means to the call receiving means, the switching means comprising:
a first port associated with a plurality of extensions and providing call origination information and destination information to the featured telephone; a second plurality of ports associated with said plurality of extensions; said first port and said plurality of ports; a messaging device coupled to a port of the telephone, comprising the steps of: (a) originating a call from said call originating means to one of said call receiving means; and (b) determining that the call is not answered by the call receiving means; (c) the switching means provides the call to the messaging device in response to the call not being answered; and (d) the switching means providing said call origination information and said destination information to said messaging device; and (e) said messaging device providing said call with a voice message associated with said call receiving means. A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device characterized by: (8) a first call generating means, a second call generating means, at least one call receiving means, and receiving the call from the first call generating means or the second call generating means; A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device having switching means for switching from one of the first call originating means to a first
(b) said switching means providing said first call to said messaging means, said first call originating from said first call originating means; (c) the messaging means transmits a first message to the first user in response to receiving the first call and the first identifying information; (i) the switching means switches from the second call originating means to the second call originating means;
(ii) said switching means providing said second call to said messaging means, said second call originating from said second call originating means; (iii) said messaging means transmits a second message to said second identifying information in response to receiving said second call and said second identifying information; A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device, further comprising the step of: servicing a call. (9) a plurality of central offices and switching means, the switching means having a first plurality of ports for coupling to the plurality of central offices and a voice messaging device coupled to the switching means; A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device comprising: (a) the switching means directing the call to a first of the plurality of telephone offices; and (b) the call is routed to the first telephone office. (c) said switching means directing said call to said voice messaging device in response to said call not being answered; (d) said switching means said providing call information to the voice messaging device; (e) the voice messaging device selecting a second central office of the plurality of central offices to place the call based on a set of predetermined conditions; (f) the voice messaging device instructing the switching means to route the call to the second central office; and (f) the voice messaging device instructing the switching means to forward the call to the second central office. (g) said switching means connecting said voice messaging device to said second central office; and (h) said voice messaging device connects said voice messaging device to said second central office after response of said second central office;
announcing the call to the second central office; (i) the voice messaging device disconnecting from the call after announcing the call; and (j) the switching means in response to the messaging device disconnecting from the call;
1. A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device, comprising: connecting to a central telephone office; (10) A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device comprising at least one central office, switching means for switching a telephone call, and messaging means for providing a message to said telephone call, comprising: (a) said switching means (b) the telephone call is not answered by the central office; and (c) the messaging means receives the telephone call and directs the telephone call to the central office. A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device, comprising: providing a message to the telephone call describing the reason. (11) a switching device for switching telephone calls; a first telephone extension coupled to the switching means; a second telephone extension coupled to the switching means; and a third telephone extension coupled to the switching means. A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device comprising an extension and a voice messaging device, comprising: (a) said switching means directing said telephone call to said first telephone extension; (c) the voice messaging device providing a plurality of menu options to the caller placing the telephone call; A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device, characterized in that the options depend on the time and day of the telephone call. (12) a telephone call switching device, a first telephone extension coupled to the switching means, a second telephone extension coupled to the switching means, and a third telephone extension coupled to the switching means; and a voice messaging device, comprising: (a) said switching means directing said telephone call to said first telephone extension; and (b) said telephone call directing said telephone call to said first telephone extension. (c) the voice messaging device sends a message to the telephone call containing information as to why the first telephone office did not answer the telephone call; (d) placing the telephone call, in which the calling party indicates to the voice messaging device that the telephone call is to be routed to the second telephone extension that is associated with the first telephone extension; A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device, comprising: (13) a switching device for switching telephone calls; a first telephone extension coupled to the switching means; a second telephone extension coupled to the switching means; and a third telephone extension coupled to the switching means. A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device comprising an extension and a voice messaging device, comprising: (a) said switching means directing said telephone call to said first telephone extension; (c) detecting that the calling party is not answered by the first telephone extension; placing the telephone call on a messaging device; and (d) the voice messaging device providing an informational message to the second telephone extension. Method. (14) a switching device for switching telephone calls; a first telephone extension coupled to the switching means; a second telephone extension coupled to the switching means; and a third telephone extension coupled to the switching means. A method of processing a telephone call in a telephone device comprising an extension and a voice messaging device, comprising: (a) said switching means directing said telephone call to said first telephone extension; (c) detecting that the calling party is not answered by the first telephone extension; placing the telephone call indicated on a messaging device; (d) detecting that the telephone call is not answered by the first telephone extension; and (e) placing the telephone call not being answered by the second telephone extension. answering a telephone call and reconnecting the telephone call to the voice messaging device; (f) the voice messaging device leaving the caller with a voice message for the first telephone extension; 1. A method for processing a telephone call in a telephone device, comprising: a process for allowing a telephone call;